'iPhone 7' Release Date & Price: Leak Says Next Phone Ditching Home Button [Specs, Features & Rumors]

The iPhone release is some sort of an annual affair among fans of Apple products and by 2016, the tech company is once again expected to unveil its latest smartphone, the iPhone 7. Speculations as to what the specs for this device are beginning to make its way on the internet and some are already looking forward to the changes in terms of form, features and functionality.

"3D Touch may provide Apple with a way to eliminate the home button on the phone and use the additional space to make the screen bigger or make the device smaller," said Gene Munster, an Apple analyst via Tech Trader Daily. "One barrier to this could be Touch ID, which is integrated into the home button currently. Apple would need to move the Touch ID reader to potentially the side of the phone to remove the home button."

According to Cult of Mac, while this is only a prediction from Munster, there have been previous indication that Apple is mulling over removing the Home Button, especially after the company applied for a patent on fingerprint scanners, according to Biometric Update. Once fully developed, this will make use of pixel screens that is able to sense fingerprint data.

According to Learn Bonds, Apple is not likely going to proceed with removing the home button, as the technology is not yet ready. The site also predicted that the iPhone 7 will be rebranded with a new or added name, perhaps in order to get rid of the numbering.

Meanwhile, Munster still have another prediction aside from the removal of the home button. He believes that battery life will be a crucial improvement for the iPhone 7, after the company made efforts to improve the battery life of its laptop devices. If this happens, iPhone 7 should feature stronger processor and software capabilities that fans will be willing to pay for.  Last month, there were rumors that Apple already ordered for A10 processors, which will be made using 16nm FinFET technology, according to Techno Buffalo.

Additionally, there should be some changes with the phone's screen, as it has long been rumored. Apple may finally add sapphire screen to the iPhone 7 after releasing the same feature for the Apple Watch. The sapphire screen was initially thought to be part of the iPhone 6 releases, but there were allegedly manufacturing issues, according to Time.  Sapphire screens are said to be more durable, stronger and scratch proof than current iPhone screens.